REALISTIC speaker opinions
- Thread starter hwystar
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stereofanboy
Addicted Member
I spent many hours poring over the latest catalog, lusting after the shiny gear. It was great fun, but doesn't sound as exciting as what you did. Thanks for the mental picture. Now excuse me while I go poke out my mind's eye.
:yes: Always wanted a big acoustic suspension 3-way speaker and my Optimus 5b's with the VL mods got me there for under a hundred bucks
I just located another pair of mach 1s for $100.00, they should do fine at my shop.
hbucker
Well-Known Member
Optimus 10's were my first speakers too. They did indeed put out an impressive amount of low end with pretty good definition too. My issue was with the high end. Especially with my 80's Rock sensibilities, they tended to not be bright enough. I actually clipped out about 6 different tweeters (replaced under warranty) until I realized it was my 45 watt Pioneer SX-6's clipping that was blowing them. Once I realized this, the tweeters lasted.
I used a 10 band eq with mine and with the eq, they sounded quite good. Without, they were kind of flat sounding - no real sparkle. When c.d.'s came along that helped them out.
I totally resemble the bulk of the comments here. They were fine speakers. Not the best on the market, but many, many kids had worse speakers than I had. In fact, I had some of the best in the group of people I was around.
Nostalgia brings a lot of us back. I still look back fondly on RS being one of the coolest stores in town. Back when they had pretty cool stereo stuff and all kinds of electronic toys - without trying to shove cell phone contracts down your throat. AND the clerks actually knew something about the products they sold. I haven't experienced one of those in RS for well over a decade now.
I don't own RS speakers anymore and probably won't unless a pair falls into my lap. But I do have a sweet spot for several of the models and don't blame anyone for collecting them. :thmbsp:
Mr. Bubbles
New Member
Vintage Realistic speakers seem more good than bad to me. They remind me a lot of other brands and models of the era; Pioneer, Advent, etc, depending on the model. They had so many different designs they had something for most situations, and many of them looked great too. I have several different models in my collection currently, and am always looking for more. Not a huge fan of the ported Novas or Optimus' but would pick them up for my collection just the same. The nova 6's sound very similar to many Advents of the time, as well as the Optimus 1B's. Would love to find some Nova 10's. They look cool and like a copy of the early JBL L77's, which i also own but they don't sound as good as most of my Realistics.
backinthelou
Well-Known Member
I have several pairs of vintage RS speakers. For the most part, they are very nice to listen to. I love them all. I have MC 2001's, MC 600's, MC 1400's, some RCA 40-5022, Optimus XTS 40, a set of Americana 3 ways, a set of Utah 3 ways(same speaker as the Americanas). They all sound good for what they are and for the price of them these days, they are many levels above being a bargain than alot of others. There are snobs in every hobby. Being outspoken myself, I had to step back after reading some of the responses and realize that that's all some people are...snobs. I own/have owned vintage Polk Audio, Boston Acoustics, DCM, and several other brands. I drooled alot when I was a kid because we could never afford anything, including cheap stuff. These days I can afford alot higher end stuff, but vintage RS doesn't have to make any apologies. I'm quite happy with what I own and you'd be hard pressed to get it from me.
BTW, the MC 2001's are my latest purchase for $20 in near mint condition from GW. The wood is GORGEOUS and they sound beautiful on my 9090db in the bedroom.
Edit: I almost forgot, I also have a pair of Omni-Nova speakers that fire up with the cast "grill" on top.
BTW, the MC 2001's are my latest purchase for $20 in near mint condition from GW. The wood is GORGEOUS and they sound beautiful on my 9090db in the bedroom.
Edit: I almost forgot, I also have a pair of Omni-Nova speakers that fire up with the cast "grill" on top.
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mayidunk
A man of dubious taste...
My current speakers consist of a pair of MC-1000, 2-way bookshelf speakers hooked to the crossovers in a RadioShack 12", passive, bass-reflex sub-woofer. I was pleasantly suprised at how nicely matched the sub's x-over was matched to the MC-1000s, and especially with how great they sound overall!
The 1000's were my very first stereo speaker back when I was 15 years old, they rocked the house until I could afford bigger. I currently have some MC-1200's that are in their original boxes, they were found in a storage area of an old radioshack. They sounded muddy when hooked up so I replaced the one cap with a new Dayton, wow what a change.
Copa1934
My ears are bleeding
Where to begin (my list has grown since my last post) listed in pairs, (2) 4024 Mach one, (1) 4029 Mach One, (1) 4032 Mach Two, T-120, T-110, (2) Nova 7b, (1) Optimus 5b, (1) Pro LX-5II, (1) RCA PRO 55 (same as LX-5II), Minimus 7c Black, LX-8 (linaeum)...I just have a feeling I left something out. Oh, many RS receivers.
So I win, correct?
So I win, correct?
mayidunk
A man of dubious taste...
They sounded great, yet were typically bass-shy. I had bought the sub brand new, on clearance at RS back in the 90s (IIRC), but subsequently never used it! After listening to the MC-1000s for a couple weeks, I decided to dig out the forsaken sub. The result is as if they were made for each other!
I was very suprised at the excellent condition of the MC-1000s, especially as after doing a bit of research, they appear to be the first iteration of this model from the late 60s! They appear to have been used a bit, but then stored in a closet for the next 40 years, or so! I may play with replacing the caps at some point, but for now they don't sound like they need them, so I think I'm gonna leave well enough alone!
earphone
Active Member
I did recap my T-100s and it made a world of difference.
And ironically (based on my original post) I did acquire a pair of Klipsch speakers but they were not the best model (non-ported KG2s). They were in excellent shape, but I'd choose any of my RS speakers over them. Even the little Nova 16s smoked them.
cnh2
Super Member
MC-1000s. I have a pair of those. Nice mids, OK highs, almost NO bass. Actually very little of anything below 100 hz maybe even 120 hz. A little surprising considering the fact that there is an 8" woofer in there!
So I understand why people are ADDING subs. You "really" need a sub with those. They look nice, in any case.
Love the Minimus 7s with the appropriately matched STA receiver: 7, 11, 111 or 700.
Have a set of Nova 7Bs coming and a set of Nova 8s that need to be picked up. Suspect those are "winners"!
T-120s are also a decent offering from a more recent period ('80s).
There were some nice Shack speakers back in the day!
Good Luck!
cnh2
So I understand why people are ADDING subs. You "really" need a sub with those. They look nice, in any case.
Love the Minimus 7s with the appropriately matched STA receiver: 7, 11, 111 or 700.
Have a set of Nova 7Bs coming and a set of Nova 8s that need to be picked up. Suspect those are "winners"!
T-120s are also a decent offering from a more recent period ('80s).
There were some nice Shack speakers back in the day!
Good Luck!
cnh2
jancumps
iRock
I have the Optimus 400s too. Bought them from my first summer job. The black veneer version.
Bass and Mid had to be refoamed around 2010.
Adam S
Lunatic Member
I refoamed all the drivers on these and glued up all the interior joints and installed new shredded denim insulation and couldn't be happier with their looks or sound. They are very balanced with great presence to my ears. They both like watts and do not distort or clip. I'm a big fan. I haven't heard any reason to recap yet.